Pentagon identifies soldier killed in combat in Afghanistan

A U.S. Army noncommissioned officer prepares to lower the American flag during a transfer-of-authority ceremony at Observation Post Mace, as U.S. and Afghan National Army troops look on Kunar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 21, 2010. The soldiers are assigned to the 101st Airborne Division's 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. OP Mace is the northernmost observation post in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, which borders Pakistan. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Peter Shinn

The Department of Defense identified the soldier killed during a combat operation in Afghanistan supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin, 34, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, was killed in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, on Jan. 1 after being engaged in small arms fire with the enemy while on a dismounted patrol.

Golin was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson, Colorado.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own,” said Gen. John Nicholson, Commander of U.S. Forces – Afghanistan. “At this very difficult time our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of our fallen and wounded brothers.”